Rising Demands To Eradicate Manual Scavenging

Karnataka govt conceded to having made a gross under estimation of the number of manual scavengers in the state and has promised to acknowledge and rehabilitate them besides conducting a new survey.

This came in the wake of a public outcry after the govt estimated their number at 302, and claimed that the practise has been eradicated in the State, while in reality the number stands at lakhs.

The guidelines on conducting a survey of manual scavengers was greatly disregarded by the govt as it did not conduct community meetings or door-to-door surveys, and even rejected sworn affidavits filed by people stating that they were working as scavengers.

28 people have died in the past 2 and a half years alone while cleaning sanitary lines in unsafe conditions.

The demand for a detailed package to eradicate manual scavenging and for rehabilitation of the workers is rising.

Contractual labour in pourakarmikas should also be eradicated as this is giving rise to a mafia that reduces the workers to bonded laborers.

Instead, equal pay and admissions for their childrens into Class six in Morarji Desai or Kittur Rani Chenamma Residential Schools without any entrance exam has been proposed.